With much of his Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) papers now out of the way, 17-year-old Meadowbrook High student Joel Engineer (real name Joel Martin) decided to have some fun for the summer.

Having been surrounded by music for most of his life, he makes his production début with the song Immigrant by his uncle, dancehall artiste Popcaan.

Martin produced the song which was released today via Unruly Entertainment/Joel label.

“Growing up, I was always surrounded by people who took this [music] as not only a hobby but as something they were passionate about. Having this energy around me not only did it spark my interest, but I also used it as a stress reliever. Music production allows me to be creative and bring my ideas to life,” Joel Engineer told the Jamaica Observer on Thursday.

Three of Joel Engineer’s other uncles are also involved in music. They are producers Ade “Jelly Bads” May; recording artiste Natebadz; and Demonie “Squidell: Wilson, artiste manager and artiste and repertoire (A&R) for Atlantic Records UK.

His mother, entrepreneur and booking agent Annalecia “Unruly Squid” Sutherland, on Wednesday, wrote a caption under a post on
Instagram which showed the artwork for the single Immigrant.

“Excited to share that my son @joelmartin_7 and my brother have teamed up to put out Joel’s first production. Out this Friday June 14,” the post read.

According to Joel Engineer, he had fun working with Popcaan.

“It was a pleasure working with him. He really pushes me to do better and be a better person,” he said.

Asked what the best advice that Popcaan has passed on to him as it relates to music, he said: “He’s often told me don’t trust anybody because the music industry is cruel.”

Joel Engineer grew up in St Thomas but relocated to Kingston where he attended Stella Maris Preparatory School and then Meadowbrook High School.

He aspires to work with international acts such as rapper NBA YoungBoy, while creating a musical legacy.

He is also buoyed by the early response to
Immigrant.

“I never expected the feedback as to what it was. I know some people that have shed tears because of how the song made them feel,” said Joel Engineer.

He also shared, “I want my sound [production] to be different and impact dancehall in many ways. I also hope to one day become a Grammy winning producer.”

Joel Engineer’s forthcoming productions will feature songs by a number of acts, among them Chronic Law.